Leak catching device

ABSTRACT

A leak catching apparatus is provided. The leak catching apparatus may include a receiving device configured to receive a fluid leaking from a sealed system that contains liquid; an absorbent material positioned on the receiving device; and one or more attachment means coupled to the receiving device, wherein the one or more attachment means are configured to temporarily secure the receiving device to the sealed system, one or more structures associated with the sealed system, or a combination thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/194,255 filed on Jun. 27, 2016.

BACKGROUND

In today's society, various types of vehicles, automobiles, tractors,off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles, heavy equipment, presses, andother types of devices, equipment, and/or machines can require variousfluids including but not limited to lubricants, fuels, cooling, brakes,and hydraulic systems are among the various types of fluids that may bepresent. These vehicles, devices, equipment and/or machines use theseand many other various fluids, which must be sealed with a gasket withincontrolled systems for their various uses. Each of the sealed orpartially sealed systems are vulnerable to corrosion, time, elements,light, and corruption which eventually leads to a failure or partialfailure of the sealing methods, or in other words leaks occur. Anexample is within an automobile, a crank seal, or oil pan gasket mayfail and begin to leak fluids.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect seal or gasket which can functionwithout fail for the life of the engine, automobile, device, equipment,and/or machinery. This imperfection in sealing results in leaks ofvarious sizes and frequency. Often these leaks can be easily repaired,and in such situations, this is the recommended course of action, butwhen a leak is either too difficult or too costly to make such repairs,a leak if often left to continue to drip. This results in not only atrail or leak that defiles the ground or other equipment, but also harmsthe environment and exposes society to various hazardous materials andconditions common to leaks. For example, a person that has ever ridden amotorcycle can attest to the oily slick conditions that are oftenpresent in a center of a lane of travel on the roads and highways thatare a direct result of the numerous leaks from vehicles. In addition,there is the embarrassing drippings that mar otherwise spot freesurfaces in millions of driveways and garages around the world. Giventhe various chemical composition of the various fluids, it is criticalto prevent the escape of the fluid into the environment.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are provided for a leak catching apparatus. The leakcatching apparatus may include a receiving device configured to receivea fluid leaking from a sealed system that contains liquid; an absorbentmaterial positioned on the receiving device; and one or more attachmentmeans coupled to the receiving device, wherein the one or moreattachment means are configured to temporarily secure the receivingdevice to the sealed system, one or more structures associated with thesealed system, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view a leak catching device with adjustablemounting devices and locking mechanisms to secure a liquid absorbentmeans according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a leak catching device according to oneembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a leak catching device with a liquidabsorbent means according to one embodiment of the present invention ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a leak catching device according to oneembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1A mounted to a vehicleaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG.1A, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG.1A, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a first side view illustration of the leak catching device ofFIG. 1A, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a second side view illustration of the leak catching device ofFIG. 1A, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first top view illustration of the leak catching device ofFIG. 1A having the absorbent material, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG. 1Awithout the absorbent material, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the invention merely providesexemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or theapplication and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any theory presented in the precedingbackground of the invention or the following detailed description of theinvention.

Before the disclosed embodiments are described, it is to be understoodthat this disclosure is not limited to the particular structures,process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended toequivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilledin the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminologyemployed herein is used for the purpose of describing particularexamples or embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Thesame reference numerals in different drawings represent the sameelement. Numbers provided in flow charts and processes are provided forclarity in illustrating steps and operations and do not necessarilyindicate a particular order or sequence.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics canbe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of layouts, distances, network examples, etc., to provide athorough understanding of various technology embodiments. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that such detailed embodimentsdo not limit the overall inventive concepts articulated herein, but aremerely representative thereof.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a bit line”includes a plurality of such bit lines.

Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the example is included in at least one invention embodiment. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in an example” or the like in various placesthroughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the sameembodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials can be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. In addition, various invention embodiments and examples can bereferred to herein along with alternatives for the various componentsthereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, andalternatives are not to be construed as defacto equivalents of oneanother, but are to be considered as separate and autonomousrepresentations under the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics canbe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of layouts, distances, network examples, etc., to provide athorough understanding of invention embodiments. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that the technology can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, layouts, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having”and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent lawand can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like, and are generallyinterpreted to be open ended terms. The terms “consisting of” or“consists of” are closed terms, and include only the components,structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction withsuch terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law.“Consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” have themeaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular,such terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowinginclusion of additional items, materials, components, steps, orelements, that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics or function of the item(s) used in connection therewith.For example, trace elements present in a composition, but not affectingthe compositions nature or characteristics would be permissible ifpresent under the “consisting essentially of” language, even though notexpressly recited in a list of items following such terminology. Whenusing an open ended term in this specification, like “comprising” or“including,” it is understood that direct support should be affordedalso to “consisting essentially of” language as well as “consisting of”language as if stated explicitly and vice versa.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that any termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series ofsteps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarilythe only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of thestated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps notdescribed herein may possibly be added to the method.

As used herein, comparative terms such as “increased,” “decreased,”“better,” “worse,” “higher,” “lower,” “enhanced,” “improved,” and thelike refer to a property of a device, component, or activity that ismeasurably different from other devices, components, or activities in asurrounding or adjacent area, in a single device or in multiplecomparable devices, in a group or class, in multiple groups or classes,or as compared to the known state of the art. For example, a processthat provides “improved” efficiency is a process that requires less timeor energy to perform the process than to perform the same or a similarstate of the art process. A number of factors can cause such increasedrisk, including location, fabrication process, number of program pulsesapplied to the region, etc.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is“substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completelyenclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is“substantially free of” particles would either completely lackparticles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect wouldbe the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, acomposition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element maystill actually contain such item as long as there is no measurableeffect thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint. However, it is to beunderstood that even when the term “about” is used in the presentspecification in connection with a specific numerical value, thatsupport for the exact numerical value recited apart from the “about”terminology is also provided.

Numerical amounts and data may be expressed or presented herein in arange format. It is to be understood that such a range format is usedmerely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpretedflexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited asthe limits of the range, but also to include all the individualnumerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if eachnumerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration,a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted toinclude not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5,but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicatedrange. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values suchas 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5,etc., as well as 1, 1.5, 2, 2.3, 3, 3.8, 4, 4.6, 5, and 5.1individually.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical valueas a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation shouldapply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristicsbeing described.

Example Embodiments

An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and thenspecific technology embodiments are described in further detail later.This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding thetechnology more quickly, but is not intended to identify key oressential technological features nor is it intended to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter. Unless defined otherwise, all technicaland scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosurebelongs.

In one aspect, the illustrated embodiments provide solutions to theaforementioned challenges of retaining various types of fluids containedwithin the a automobile, a tractor, a trailer, a semi-truck, amotorcycle, a heavy equipment, an all-terrain vehicle, a utilityvehicle, a golf cart, a buggy, a scooter, other type of motorizedvehicle, an engine, a motor, a transmission, a radiator, a differential,a hydraulic press, a hydraulic pump, a water pump, a device, and/ormachinery containing or using fluids (hereinafter referred to as“Leaking Equipment”). In one aspect, the present invention provides fora leak-catching device that can prevent one or more types of leaks ordrips spilling from Leaking Equipment from fouling surfaces andretaining the leaking fluids within an absorbent media housed within theleak-catching device.

In one aspect, the present invention provides for a leak catchingapparatus, comprising: a plate having a first section, a center section,and a second section, wherein the first section is non-coplanar with thesecond section; an absorbent material housed on the first section; oneor more absorbent material attachment means coupled to the first sectionto secure the absorbent material to the first section; and one or moreplate attachment means coupled to the first section and the secondsection, wherein the one or more plate attachment means temporarilysecures the first section and the second section to a sealed system thatcontains liquid. It should be noted that as used herein the term “plate”may also make reference to and/or be used to represent a panel, dish,bowl, saucer, cup, and/or other type of design configuration capable ofholding, supporting, receiving, securing, and/or retaining an absorbentmaterial and/or liquid.

In one aspect, the present technology provides a mounting apparatus. Themounting apparatus having a first plate having a first side panel, asecond side panel, a first end panel, and a second end panel, whereinthe first side panel, the second side panel, the first end panel, andthe second end panel angularly extend from the first plate defining anopen volume. The mounting apparatus having a second plate coupled to afirst end panel, wherein the first plate is non-coplanar with the secondplate. The mounting apparatus having absorbent material housed withinthe open volume on the first plate. The mounting apparatus having an armextending from the first end panel, wherein the arm is parallel to thefirst plate. The mounting apparatus having a latching device adjacent tothe second end panel and extending perpendicular from the first plate,wherein the absorbent material is retained under the arm and thelatching device. The latching device having a plurality of methods andmaterials used to secure the absorbent material to the open volume ofthe first plate. The mounting apparatus having one or more firstattachment means coupled to the first plate and one or more secondattachment means couple to the second plate, wherein the one or morefirst attachment means and the one or more second attachment meanstemporarily secures the first plate and the second plate to a structureassociated with the Leaking Equipment. The mounting apparatus having oneor more splash-guards angularly coupled to the first side panel and thesecond side panel.

In one aspect, the present technology provides a leak preventionapparatus. The leak prevention apparatus can receive a liquid spilling,leaking, dripping, and/or escaping from Leaking Equipment and in thepresent example an internal combustion engine, transmission, radiator, astructure that houses a liquid, and/or a structure that is associatedwith the internal combustion engine, the transmission, the radiator,and/or the structure that houses a liquid, and/or a combination thereof.

The leak prevention apparatus can include a receiving means, such as aplate, pan, cup, bowl, saucer, having an open volume for receiving anyliquid leaking from Leaking Equipment. A handle means can be coupled tothe receiving means. An absorbent device, such as an absorbent pad orabsorbent cartridge, can be housed within the open volume on thereceiving means. One or more latching devices can be coupled to one ormore positions of the receiving means. The absorbent material can beretained in the open volume by the one or more latching devices. One ormore first attachment means can be coupled to the receiving means. Theone or more first attachment means can temporarily secure the receivingmeans to the structure of or surrounding the Leaking Equipment. One ormore second attachment means can be coupled to the handle. The one ormore second attachment means can secure the plate to the LeakingEquipment. One or more splash guards can be angularly coupled to thereceiving means.

In one aspect, the leak prevention apparatus embodiments describedherein can also be armoring material. The embodiments described hereinof the leak prevention apparatus may be of a variety of configurationsthat may include and/or may be rigid armor panels and/or platesconstructed of a variety of materials including but not limited tometallic, ceramic, composite, fiberglass, nylon, aramid fiber andsemi-crystalline polyolefin structures. The leak prevention apparatusarmoring materials and components can be lightweight structures capableof defeating anticipated projectile threats. The leak preventionapparatus armor structures can transfer kinetic energy inherent in themoving projectile so as to prevent penetration of the projectile andarmor material spall (projectile and armor fragments) through the armor.For example, at least one plate, at least one side panel, and/or atleast one splashguard of the leak prevention apparatus can be armorplated and/or comprising armor materials and/or components.

In one aspect, the leak prevention apparatus embodiments describedherein can the plate (e.g., armor plate) having the first section, thecenter section, and the second section each being comprised of armoringmaterial capable of resisting projectile penetration. In one aspect, theplate may be an armor plate. The armor plate can include and innermostor an outermost side of the armor plate for absorbing and distributingkinetic energy. The armor plate comprising a pair of sheets of anionomer and a rigid thermoplastic structure between said sheets.

Turning to the FIGS. 1A and 1B, a leak catching device 100 is depictedaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The leak catchingdevice 100 can have a first plate 102B and a second plate 102A. In oneaspect, the first plate 102B and the second plate 102A can be onsingular plate and/or can be comprised of two or more separate plates.

In one aspect, the first plate 102B can include a first side panel 108A,a second side panel 108D, a first end panel 108B, and a second end panel108C. In one aspect, the first side panel 108A, the second side panel108D, the first end panel 108B, and the second end panel 108C can be onecontinuous singular piece and/or four separate pieces collectivelyattached to each other and the first plate 102B. Alternatively, thefirst plate 102B can be bent at one or more locations with the outerperimeter edges being angularly bent upwards to form the first sidepanel 108A, the second side panel 108D, the first end panel 108B, andthe second end panel 108C. Thus, in one aspect the first plate 102B andthe first side panel 108A, the second side panel 108D, the first endpanel 108B, and the second end panel 108C can be one singular plate thatis configured in one or more geometrical shapes or sizes. For example,collectively, the first plate 102B with the first side panel 108A, thesecond side panel 108D, the first end panel 108B, and the second endpanel 108C can be have a shape of a bowl, dish, saucer, oval, or othershape and size. Alternatively, the first plate 102B with the first sidepanel 108A, the second side panel 108D, the first end panel 108B, andthe second end panel 108C can have a square or rectangular shape with adepression therein forming an open volume for housing one or moreabsorbent materials or devices.

The first side panel 108A, the second side panel 108D, the first endpanel 108B, and the second end panel 108C can angularly extend from thefirst plate 102B defining an open volume 150. In one aspect, the secondplate 102A can be coupled to a first end panel 108B. The first plate102B can be non-coplanar with the second plate 101A. The leak catchingdevice 100 can include at least one absorbent material 130 housed withinthe open volume 150 on the first plate 102B. In one aspect, the firstplate 102B can include at least 2 absorbent materials 130 adjacentlyhoused within the open volume 150. It should be noted that FIG. 1A-1Bdepicts, by way of example only, a single one absorbent material 130.However, the first plate 102B can include one or more of the absorbentmaterial 130.

The leak catching device 100 can include at least one or more securingarm, such as, for example, securing arms 120A, 120B (which can beindividually and/or collectively referred to herein as 120) extendingfrom the first end panel 108B of the first plate 102B. The one or moresecuring arms 120A or 120B can be parallel to the first plate 102Band/or parallel to the second plate 102A. The leak catching device 100can include a latching device 122 coupled to the first plate 102 andadjacent to the second end panel 108C and extending perpendicular fromthe first plate 102B. The absorbent material 130 can be temporarilyand/or permanently retained under the one or more securing arm 120A or120B and/or under the latching device 122.

In one aspect, as depicted in FIG. 1B, the latching device 122 can be aspring type device that can pivotally connect to the first plate 102B.The latching device 122 can have a “t-shape” with a top portion capableof being manipulated in one of a variety of directions, such as beingmanipulated towards and/or away from the absorbent materials. Forexample, the latching device 122 can be manipulated away from theabsorbent material for allowing quick release and removal of theabsorbent material 130 from the first plate 102B. For example, a new,different, and/or same absorbent material 130 on a first side can beplaced into the open volume 150 on the first plate 102B and securedunder the one or more securing arms 120A, 120B. The latching device 122can then be manipulated back towards the absorbent material 130 andremain in a fixed position to secure a second or opposite side (ascompared to the first side) of the absorbent material 130 in the openvolume 150 of the first plate 102B.

The leak catching device 100 can include at least one or more firstattachment means, such as first attachment means 110A, 110B, or 110C(which can be individually and/or collectively referred to herein as110) that can be coupled to the first plate 102B and one or more secondattachment means, such as second attachment means 155A, 155B, 155C(which can be individually and/or collectively referred to herein as155) that can be coupled to the second plate 102A. The one or more firstattachment means 110 and/or the one or more second attachment means155A, 155B, or 155C can temporarily and/or permanently secure the firstplate 102B and the second plate 102A to a structure and/or frameassociated with the Leaking Equipment.

In one aspect, the leak catching device 100 can include one or moresplashguards, such as splashguards 104A, 104B (which can be individuallyand/or collectively referred to herein as 104). The one or moresplashguards can be coupled to the first plate 102B. In one aspect, theone or more splashguards 104 can be coupled, such as angularly coupled,to the first side panel 108A and the second side panel 108D.

In one aspect, the first plate 102B and the second plate 102A can be oneof a plurality of geometric shapes and sizes of height, width, depths,and/or weight. For example, the first plate 102B and/or the second plate102A can have a rectangular, square, oval, round, oblong, and/orcircular shape. In one aspect, the first plate 102B and the second plate102A can have a different geometric shape and size. For example, in oneaspect, the second plate 102A can have a square or rectangular shape ofa selected size and the first plate 102B can have a circular bowl orsaucer shape and a different selected size. Alternatively, the firstplate g shape and/or size. Thus, according to need and designer or userpreference, the first plate 102B and the second plate 102A can have oneor more identical and/or different geometric shapes and/or differentsize of height, width, and/or depths.

In one aspect, the absorbent material 130 can be an absorbent cartridge.In one aspect, the absorbent material 130 can be, for example, arranged,in a support frame 112. The absorbent material 130 can include one ormore pleated materials 132 arranged in a serpentine configuration or anaccordion geometric shape with a plurality of parallel runs within asupport frame to create an “absorbent cartridge”. In an additionalembodiment, the absorbent material 130 can be one or more types ofmaterials arranged in one of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/orgeometric configurations. The absorbent material 130 can be arranged inthe support frame 112, wherein the absorbent material 130 includes oneor more pleats arranged in a serpentine configuration with a pluralityof parallel runs in an accordion geometric shape.

In one aspect, the leak catching device 100 can include at least a hinge106 coupled to the first end panel 108B and/or to the second plate 102A.The first plate 102B can rotationally pivot via the at least one hinge106. In an additional aspect, the second plate 102A can includes aknuckled and/or a notched hinge 106. The first plate 102B configured torotationally bend at the notched hinge 106. In an additional aspect, thehinge 106 may include a removable rod, clip, notch, pin, latch or otherpivot point allowing the hinge to come apart and disconnect or separatethe first plate 102B from the second plate 102A. In an additionalembodiment, the first plate 102B and the second plate 102A can be asingular piece of material that may and/or may not include the hinge106. For example, a portion of either the first plate 102B or the secondplate 102A may be bent to create a “step down” (or step or sloped shape)configuration such that the first plate 102B is non-coplanar with thesecond plate 102A. Notches may be in the bent or shaped portion tocreate a natural hinge allowing the first plate 102B and the secondplate 102A to be rotated or bent away or towards each other.

In an additional aspect, the one or more first attachment 110 means canhave a body, such as body 118A, 118B (which can be individually and/orcollectively referred to herein as 118), a first mounting end, such asfirst mounting ends 116A, 116B (which can be individually and/orcollectively referred to herein as 116), and one or more second mountingends, such as second mounting ends 140A, 140B, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The one or more first mounting ends 116A, 116B and the one or moresecond mounting ends 140A or 140B can be adjustably positioned to one ormore positions on the body of 118A and/or 118B. For example, each typeof Leaking Equipment and/or structure housing the Leaking Equipment canhave different shapes and/or sizes. Thus, the one or more first mountingend 116A, 116B and/or the one or more second mounting ends 140A or 140Bcan be adjustably positioned upwards and/or downwards to one or morepositions on the body of 118A and/or 118B. Thus, the leak catchingdevice 100 can be positioned level to the ground on the structure and/orthe Leaking Equipment itself in order to receive a leaking liquid, suchas oil, water, and/or transmission fluid, by the absorbent material orabsorbent cartridge. In one aspect, the one or more first attachment 110can be adjusted according to user and/or designer preferences. In oneaspect, at least one of the first mounting ends 116A, 116B can bepivotally connected to at least one of the first end panel 108C, thefirst side panel 108A, the second side panel 108C, and/or a combinationthereof. The one or more second mounting ends 140A, 140B can bepivotally connected to Leaking Equipment or associated structures.

The body 118 can have a first end and a second end, such as a top endtowards the top and/or a bottom end towards the bottom, as oriented asdepicted in FIG. 1A depicting the top/up and/or bottom/down directions.At least one or more of the first mounting ends 116A, 116B can be thefirst end/top end and can adjustably positioned the first end of thebody 118, and the one or more second mounting ends 140A, 140B can beadjustably positioned to the second end of the body 118.

In one aspect, the one or more first mounting ends 116A, 116B (e.g., atthe top end of the body 118) can have an elbow 119 having a first elbowpanel side, such as first elbow panel sides 114A, 114B, and a secondelbow panel side, such as second elbow panel sides 115A, 115B. Thesecond elbow panel sides 115A, 115B each can be adjustably positioned onthe first end of the body, such as the first end of the bodies 110A,110B, and the first elbow panel sides 114A, 114B can each be a slottedpanel (e.g., such as having a “fork” shape) that can attach to the elbow119 to and/or receive a securing means on the structure associated withthe Leaking Equipment.

In one aspect, the one or more second attachment means 155 can each be arivet, a screw, a pin, a bolt, a fastener, a clip, a nail, a spring, abracket, a nut, a slot, a rod, a clamp, a glue, an adhesive, the one ormore first attachment means 110, and/or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, the leak catching device 100, including one or morecomponents as described herein, such as, for example, the first plate102B, the second plate 102A, the attachment devices 110, the latchingdevice 122, the splash guards 104, and/or the frame of the absorbentcartridge 130 can be composed of a steel, an iron, a sheet metal, adie-cast aluminum, a sheet aluminum, a cast aluminum, a high-strengthlightweight alloy material, any metallic material, a fiberglassmaterial, a non-flammable material, a plastic material, a rubbermaterial, a dense foam material, a fibrous material, a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material, a carbon fiber, a polyurethane material, astretchable material, a moldable material, a joint metallic andpolyurethane material, a polyamide-based thermoplastic materialreinforced with glass fibers and/or mineral matter, a magnetic material,a glass material, a ceramic material, and/or any other material orcombination of materials known in the art, which are suitable for suchan application.

The absorbent material 130 may be composed of a dense foam, a plastic, acarbon fiber, a polyurethane material, a fibrous material, a rubbermaterial, a cotton fiber, a wood fiber, a cloth material, a gel or gelbeads, a rock, a sand, a powder, or any other natural or man-madematerial or combination of materials known in the art, which aresuitable for such an application.

In one aspect, the leak catching device can be fabricated by aone-component or multicomponent injection-molding or vacuum moldingprocess. For example, the leak catching device can be fabricated by aone-component and/or multicomponent injection-molding or vacuum moldingprocess in which polyamide-based thermoplastic materials are used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a leak catching device 100 with a liquidabsorbent means according to one embodiment of the present invention. Asdepicted in FIG. 2, the hinge 106 can be a movable joint or mechanism onwhich the first plate 102B can rotationally pivot or swing as it opens(e.g., the first plate 102B releases from a fixed position androtationally pivots in a downward direction away from the second plate102A) and/or closes (e.g., the first plate 108 returns to a fixedposition by rotationally pivoting in an upward direction toward thesecond plate 102A), and/or connects the first plate 102B and the secondplate 102A.

For example, the hinge 106 can be a spring hinge and the spring hingecan have a spring that can be disposed on a shaft within a housingencircling the periphery of the spring so as to enclose the springcoils. The hinge 106 can provide constant torque or resistance tomovement throughout its range of motion for rotating the first plate102B (here it can be assumed that second plate 102A is in a fixedposition, such as being secured to Leaking Equipment or the associatedstructure itself). In an effort to provide more constant torque a springback can be used in the operation of the spring hinge 106 to allow thespring hinge 106 to rotate back after applied force is removed.

For another example, the hinge 106 can be comprised of a rod or pin witha barrel shaped hole in both 102A and 102B are laid side by side andinto which a pin, rod, clip, or other hinge type pivoting device may beinserted and either permanently affixed or made to be removable to allowcomplete separation of 102A and 102B, as well as pivoting on the axis of106, when not fastened securely by 110 attachment devices 110.

One or more second attachment means 155 can be coupled to the secondplate 102A to connect to a different location of the structures that canbe associated with the Leaking Equipment. For example, in one aspect,the one or more second attachment means 155 can secure or fasten thesecond plate 102A “flush” up against and/or adjacent to the structurethat houses a liquid, and/or a structure that is associated with theLeaking Equipment. The one or more second attachment means in 155 may beplaced anywhere on 102A. 102A may be cut, trimmed, or modified to goaround or avoid obstructions or nonplanar surfaces.

One or more splash guards 104 can be angularly coupled to the receivingmeans thereby prohibiting the oil absorbent material from externaldebris, wind, water, or other types of liquid from entering into theleak catching device 100. Alternatively, the one or more splash guards104 prevent the absorbed liquid in the absorbent material from spilling,splashing, and/or leaking from the leak catching device 100 into thesurrounding environment. The one or more splash guards may be cut,trimmed, modified, or completely removed to go around or avoidobstructive surfaces. FIG. 3 is perspective view a leak catching device100 according to one embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1A-1Bmounted to a vehicle according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. In one aspect, the one or more first attachment means 110 ofthe leak prevention apparatus 100 can temporarily secure the first plate102B to the Leaking Equipment. In one aspect, the first plate 102B andthe second plate 102A can be substantially horizontal and/or in aparallel position relative to a floor or road surfaces (not shown)allowing gravity to aid depositing fluids on the leak catching device.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG.1A, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is afront view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG. 1A,according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a firstside view illustration of the leak catching device of FIG. 1A, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a second side viewillustration of the leak catching device of FIG. 1A, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIGS. s 4-7, thefirst plate 102B and/or the second plate 102A can be a thickness of avariety of sizes (e.g. greater than or equal to at least 0.01millimeter) can be defined according to user preference. design and/oraesthetic preference, and/or safety requirements. In one aspect, thefirst plate 102B and the second plate 102A can be one singularcontinuous material having a hinge 106 notching the one singularcontinuous material to define a separation between the first plate 102Band the second plate 102A, creating an inherent weakness along the lineof the thinner material, which creates a bending or hinge point, as moreclearly depicted in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the first plate 102B and thesecond plate 102A can each be a separate piece of material coupledtogether at the hinge 106.

In one aspect, the one or more splash guards can be positioned along oneor more various selected locations on the first plate 102B. In oneaspect, as more clearly depicted in FIGS. 6-7, the one or more firstattachment means 110 of the leak prevention apparatus 100 can bepositioned and secured to the first plate 102B at a first end, such asnear the second end panel 108C depicted in FIG. 1A, which can be closestto the latching device 122. In an additional aspect, the one or morefirst attachment means 110 can be positioned at one or more measurableor selected positions on the first plate 102B such as at 108A, 108C or108D, or any combination thereof, or removed entirely.

In an additional aspect, as depicted in FIGS. 4-7, the first plate 102Bcan include at least three first attachment means 110, such as the oneor more first attachment means 110A, 110B and the one or more firstattachment means 110 depicted in FIGS. 4-7 having “dashed lines” or asilhouette image. In other words, the more first attachment means 110can be on located on the first plate 102B on the first side panel 108A,the second side panel 108D, the first end panel 108B, and/or the secondend panel 108C, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 8 is a first top view illustration of the leak catching device 100of FIG. 1A having the absorbent material, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. As depicted in FIG. 8, the leak catching device100 illustrates the absorbent material 130 housed within a defined openvolume 150 (see FIG. 1A-1B) of the first plate 102B. The absorbentmaterial 130 is depicted being secured under the latching device and/orthe securing arms 120A, 120B. The one or more splash guards are depictedas being connected to the first plate 102B. More specifically, the oneor more splashguards 104A, 104B are coupled to the first side panel 108Asecond side panel 108D (see FIG. 1A-1B) on an inner side within the openvolume 150. That is, the one or more splash guards 104A, 104B areangularly coupled to the first side panel 108A second side panel 108Dwith a bottom portion of the one or more splash guards 104A, 104Bextending downward along the first side panel 108A second side panel108D to a bottom portion of the first plate 102B. In this way, a bottomportion of the one or more splashguards 104A, 104B can also be used tosecure the absorbent material within the open volume 150 to preventmovement, such as side or lateral movement. It should be noted that thesecuring arms 120A, 120B are depicted, by way of example only, as beingcoupled to one side of the first plate 102B, such as the first end panel108B. However, one or more securing arms 120A, 120B can be coupled toone or more sides (e.g., four sides) of the first plate 102B, such asbeing coupled to the first side panel 108A, the second side panel 108D,the first end panel 108B, and/or the second end panel 108C. In this way,the one or more splashguards can provide secondary support to secure theabsorbent material 130 on the first plate 102B.

FIG. 9 is a first bottom view illustration of the leak catching deviceof FIG. 1A according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thefirst plate 102 can be depicted as having each side angularly extendingupwards (more clearly defined in FIG. 1A as the first side panel 108A,the second side panel 108D, the first end panel 108B, and/or the secondend panel 108C). In an alternative embodiment, as compared to FIG. 8,the one or more splashguards can be connected to inner and outer surfaceof the first plate 102B. More specifically, the one or more splashguards104A, 104B are coupled to the first side panel 108A, the second sidepanel 108D, or the end panel 108C (see FIG. 1A-1B) by connecting 108A,108C, or 108D into a slotted groove in 104A, 104B, such that 104A or104B cover both the inside surface and outside surface of 108A, 108C, or108D, compressing and holding them firmly in place.

In one aspect, the first plate 102B can include a center section definedwithin each of the sides angularly extending upwards that can be fullyremoved, unattached, and/or released from the leak catching device fromone of a plurality of means of attachment at one or more locations onthe center section. For example, all and/or only a defined portion ofthe center section can support the entire area of the absorbentmaterial. Thus, when the center section of the first plate 102B isremoved, unattached, and/or released from the sides, the absorbentmaterial can easily be removed and/or replaced with a new absorbentmaterial. For example, the one or more second attachment means mayinclude a rivet, a screw, a pin, a bolt, a fastener, a clip, a nail, aspring, a bracket, a nut, a slot, a rod, a clamp, an adhesive, a magnet,a combination thereof, and/or any other material or combination ofmaterials known in the art, which are suitable for such an application.

In one aspect, the present technology provides for a leak catchingapparatus, comprising: a plate having a first section, a center section,and a second section, wherein the first section is non-coplanar with thesecond section. The leak catching apparatus can include an absorbentmaterial housed on the first section; one or more absorbent materialattachment means coupled to the first section to secure the absorbentmaterial to the first section; and/or one or more plate attachment meanscoupled to the first section and the second section, wherein the one ormore plate attachment means temporarily secures the first section andthe second section to a sealed system that contains liquid.

In one aspect, the center section can be upwardly angled from the firstsection to the second section. The first section can include one or moreside panels angularly extending from the first section.

In one aspect, the leak catching apparatus can include one or moresplashguards angularly coupled to the one or more side panels. The firstsection and the second section can be one of a plurality of geometricshapes and sizes. The absorbent material can be arranged in a supportframe, wherein the absorbent material includes one or more pleatsarranged in a serpentine configuration with a plurality of parallelruns, such as an accordion. The center section can define a pivot axis,wherein the first section configured to pivotally rotate around thepivot axis.

In one aspect, the present technology provides for an apparatus,comprising: a first plate having a first side panel, a second sidepanel, a first end panel, and a second end panel, wherein the first sidepanel, the second side panel, the first end panel, and the second endpanel angularly extend from the first plate defining an open volume; asecond plate coupled to a first end panel, wherein the first plate isnon-coplanar with the second plate; an absorbent material housed withinthe open volume on the first plate; at least one securing arm extendingfrom the first end panel, wherein the at least one securing arm isparallel to the first plate; a latching device coupled to the firstplate and adjacent to the second end panel and extending perpendicularfrom the first plate, wherein the absorbent material is retained underthe least one securing arm and the latching device; one or more firstattachment means coupled to the first plate and one or more secondattachment means couple to the second plate, wherein the one or morefirst attachment means and the one or more second attachment meanstemporarily secures the first plate and the second plate to a structureassociated with the internal combustion engine; and/or one or moresplash guards angularly coupled to the first side panel and the secondside panel.

In one aspect, the first plate and the second plate 102A are one of aplurality of geometric shapes and sizes. The absorbent material isarranged in a support frame, wherein the absorbent material includes oneor more pleats arranged in a serpentine configuration with a pluralityof parallel runs.

In one aspect, the leak catching device can include a hinge coupled tothe first end panel to the second plate, wherein the first platerotationally pivots via the hinge. The second plate can include anotched hinge, wherein the first plate configured to rotationally bendat the notched hinge.

In one aspect, the one or more first attachment means can include a bodya first mounting end and a second mounting end, wherein the firstmounting end and the second mounting end are configured to be adjustablypositioned to one or more positions on the body, wherein the firstmounting end is pivotally connected to one of the first end panel, thefirst side panel, the second side panel, or a combination thereof,wherein the second mounting end is pivotally connected to the structureassociated with the internal combustion engine. The body can include afirst end and a second end; wherein the first mounting end is adjustablypositioned the first end of the body and the second mounting end isadjustably positioned to the second end of the body.

In one aspect, the first mounting end can include an elbow attachmentdevice having a first elbow panel side and a second elbow panel side,wherein the second elbow panel side is adjustably positioned the firstend of the body, and the first elbow panel side is a slotted panel thatreceives and attaches the elbow to a securing means on the structureassociated with the internal combustion engine.

The one or more second attachment means is a rivet, a screw, a pin, abolt, a fastener, a clip, a nail, a spring, a bracket, a nut, a slot, arod, a clamp, an adhesive, the one or more first attachment means, or acombination thereof.

In one aspect, the present technology provides for a leak preventionapparatus, comprising: a pan having defining an open volume forreceiving a liquid leaking from an internal combustion engine; a platecoupled to the pan; an absorbent material housed within the open volumeon the pan; one or more latching devices coupled to one or morepositions of the pan, wherein the absorbent material is retained in theopen volume by the latching device; one or more first attachment meanscoupled to the pan and one, wherein the one or more first attachmentmeans temporarily secures the pan to a structure associated with theinternal combustion engine; one or more second attachment means coupledto the plate, wherein the one or more second attachment means securesthe plate to a structure associated with the internal combustion engineor the internal combustion engine itself; and/one or more splash guardsangularly coupled to the pan.

In one aspect, the leak prevention apparatus can include a hinge device,the hinge devices connecting the pan to the plate, wherein the panrotationally pivots downwardly or upwardly via the hinge device. Thefirst plate and the second plate are one of a plurality of geometricshapes and sizes.

In one aspect, the absorbent material can be arranged in a supportframe, wherein the absorbent material includes one or more pleatsarranged in a serpentine configuration with a plurality of parallelruns, the absorbent material is removable from the pan.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes onlyand should not be considered to limit the invention. Variousalternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art upon reading this application. Other modifications within thescope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a receiving device configured to receive afluid leaking from a sealed system that contains liquid; and one or moreattachment means coupled to the receiving device, wherein the one ormore attachment means are configured to temporarily secure the receivingdevice to the sealed system, one or more structures associated with thesealed system, or a combination thereof.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further including an absorbent material positioned on the receivingdevice.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a support frameconnected to the receiving device, wherein the absorbent material ishoused within in the support frame of the receiving device.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, further including one or more absorbent materialattachment means connected to the receiving device.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the one or more absorbent material attachment means isa latching device configured to be manipulated away from the absorbentmaterial allowing quick release and removal of the absorbent material.6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more absorbent materialattachment means is a latching device having a “T” shape.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, further including one or more panels angularlyextending from the receiving device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,further including one or more splash guards angularly coupled to thereceiving device.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receivingdevice is one of a plurality of geometric shapes and sizes, wherein thegeometric shapes include at least rectangular, square, oval, round,oblong, and/or circular shape, and the sizes may be a defined sizeaccording to user preference.
 10. A leak catching apparatus, comprising:a receiving device configured to receive a fluid leaking from a sealedsystem that contains liquid; an absorbent material positioned on thereceiving device; and one or more attachment means coupled to thereceiving device, wherein the one or more attachment means areconfigured to temporarily secure the receiving device to the sealedsystem, one or more structures associated with the sealed system, or acombination thereof.
 11. The leak catching apparatus of claim 10,further including a hinge coupled between the one or more attachmentmeans and the receiving device.
 12. The leak catching apparatus of claim10, wherein the one or more attachment means is a rivet, a screw, a pin,a bolt, a fastener, a clip, a nail, a spring, a bracket, a nut, a slot,a rod, a clamp, an adhesive, or a combination thereof
 13. The leakcatching apparatus of claim 10, further including one or more absorbentmaterial attachment means connected to the receiving device, wherein theone or more absorbent material attachment means is a latching deviceconfigured to be manipulated away from the absorbent material allowingquick release and removal of the absorbent material.
 14. The leakcatching apparatus of claim 10, further including one or more splashguards angularly coupled to the receiving device.
 15. A leak catchingapparatus, comprising: a receiving means having a first section and asecond section, wherein the receiving means is configured to receive afluid leaking from a sealed system that contains liquid, wherein thefirst section is symmetrical about the second section, and the firstsection is configured to pivotally rotate with the second section; anabsorbent material housed on the first section; one or more absorbentmaterial attachment means coupled to the first section to secure theabsorbent material to the first section; and one or more attachmentmeans coupled to the first section and the second section of thereceiving means, wherein the one or more attachment means are configuredto temporarily secure the receiving device to the sealed system, one ormore structures associated with the sealed system, or a combinationthereof
 16. The leak catching apparatus of claim 15, further including ahinge coupled between the first section and the second section, whereinthe hinge defines a pivot axis and the first section rotationally pivotsvia the hinge.
 17. The leak catching apparatus of claim 15, wherein theone or more attachment means is a rivet, a screw, a pin, a bolt, afastener, a clip, a nail, a spring, a bracket, a nut, a slot, a rod, aclamp, an adhesive, or a combination thereof
 18. The leak catchingapparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more absorbent materialattachment means is a latching device configured to be manipulated awayfrom the absorbent material allowing quick release and removal of theabsorbent material.
 19. The leak catching apparatus of claim 15, furtherincluding one or more splash guards angularly coupled to the firstsection, the second section, or a combination of the first section andthe second section.
 20. The leak catching apparatus of claim 15, whereinthe first section and the second section are one of a plurality ofgeometric shapes and sizes, wherein the geometric shapes include atleast rectangular, square, oval, round, oblong, and/or circular shape,and the sizes may be a defined size according to user preference.